The Lands End catalogue is selling a knockoff of the Merrells for $29.95. I bought a pair and can't tell the difference. I also bought a pair of Sam & Libby flats that are very comfortable, and I also swear by Clarks.

I wore a pair of Aerosole sandals for<BR>five weeks in the heat of Italy - v.<BR>comfortable albeit a little clunky.<BR>They were (of course) black and sadly<BR>they dyed the soles of my feet - not<BR>a pretty sight!<BR><BR>Right now I'm trying out Ecco booties<BR>for next Spring's trip to Provence -<BR>the main problem with boots is the<BR>room they take in your luggage and <BR>the weight they add and when you are<BR>traveling with a backpack every inch/<BR>ounce counts.

Another vote for SAS. I wear their most comfortable sandals. For traveling I wear their lightweight tie shoes which they do not call their walking shoes. They have good support and are not ugly, merely plain.

Just returned from five weeks in Europe. Must have walked a zillion miles. Wore my trusty Keds--Miami is the style. They're black microfiber and look pretty cool. I paid 15 bucks for them, and they were well broken in before I left. One caveat: I live in a cool climate (CA) and when I got to Italy, the weather was hot. My feet swelled a bit in the heat, and even though the shoes were well worn, I had to break out the moleskin a couple of times. When the weather cooled off, I didn't experience a twinge. So if you go from cool weather to hot weather, even comfortable shoes may cause a few problems.

My Aerosole suede black loafers that feel like I am walking on clouds of foam rubber cushions (absolutely fabulous! $40), my Ecco lace up black suede shoes (more support than the Aerosoles, more durable, heavier but comfy $107) and my Easy Spirit Black suede boots ($45). I have a feeling that from this week until the following I will only be seen in the Aerosoles in London as they are surprisingly the most comfy of them all...I could not find a single pair of Mephisto shoes other than their sandles, did not need sandles in chilly November.

After reading what I posted I have to ask myself, what is a sandle, I am pretty sure I meant sandal?

Love, love, love SAS. Yes, some styles are granny-ish. But there are a couple that are simple and one that is somewhat stylish. But bottom line, they are incredibly comfortable and last forever. Last 2 years I alternated one black pair every other day thru fall and winter. Still look and feel great. Sis-in-law is teacher; on her feet all day and has circulation problems to boot (tongue in cheek). Swears by them as well.

Women.

Have any of you tried buying those orthopedic inserts to put into shoes you already have? (I'm talking about the kind you get at drugstores). Do they work, especially for long periods of walking? Any favories?

I am also an avid fan of SAS shoes. I bought my first pair in 1983 on my first trip to Holland; and since then they are the only shoes and sandals that feel comfortable on my feet.I have tried different brands, but not one has the softness and durability of SAS.

One more vote for Eccos!

Also, for those without a nearby place to purchase Eccos, Merrell, Mephisto and other brands, check out shoes.com. They carry some styles of each.

Susan

A pair of $3 foam rubber flip flops with cloth thongs between the toes. I brought them as emergency shower shoes, and ended up wearing them for 5 weeks straight in Europe, because my feet swelled badly from the heat in Rome. Was very surprised that they made it through the Colosseum, Forum, and 3 weeks of walking up hills in Prague! They weighed about 2 ounces, so I would wear my heavy dresss shoes on the plane, and take the flip flops in my carry-on &amp; put them on as soon as we landed. I avoided overweight luggage several times with this tactic!

I had feet problems--leg problems--back problems for years before I wised up and went to an orthopedist and got a referral to get custom-made orthodics. Many people fail to realize how miraculous orthodics can be. The ones on the store racks may or may not help--just like shoes they need to fit YOUR feet. Now the problem is getting shoes wide enough and high enough to make room for my foot AND the orthodic.
Anybody following this thread who has suggestions for the best shoes for orthodic wearers?
Vera

ttt for SAS shoes lovers..

The simplest answer: ones that are already broken in regardless of style, color, brand name, etc. Your &quot;old&quot; ones will seem new to all those new people you meet, too.

I agree with VERA. I have orthodics (the only way to go). The probem is, I can't find sandles that my othodics will fit into. Any suggestions? For an othodic to work well you have to be able to remove the shoe padding. We are leaving for Italy next week and I need SHOES. Right now the only pair that feels great on my feet are my New Balance runniing shoes (bright White) with my opthodic that my doctor perscribed. All the posts that I have read say NO to white running shoes in Europe. I don't know what I am going to do. None of the shoes that I have tried on fit as well or feel as well as my running shoes. Help! Running out of time!

Re orthotics: try Berkman sandals, available from a Munich firm:

http://www.fusaro.de/shop

They have removable footbeds.

Stephanie,

Sandles have wicks in them.

ginn,
Have you tried New Balance walking shoes? They come in black or taupe as well as white. travelsmith.com has them.

Maybe they would work for you. But if not, I'd go with your white ones. If your feet hurt, you won't be able to enjoy your trip, and that's a lot more important than what anybody thinks about your shoes!